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Plains Sunflower

Helianthus petiolaris

Last reviewed: October 2026

Plains Sunflower (Helianthus petiolaris)
Photo: (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger

Toxicity unknown

Plains Sunflower (Helianthus petiolaris) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–48" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AR, AZ, CA, CO and 30 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Basin and RangeMojave Basin and RangeNorthwestern Forested MountainsNorth American DesertsSouthern RockiesArizona/New Mexico MountainsChihuahuan DesertsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersWestern Gulf Coastal PlainOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsNorthwestern Glaciated PlainsNorthwestern Great PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMadrean ArchipelagoSonoran Basin and RangeSouthern California/Northern Baja Coast

Plains sunflower is a cheerful annual native that produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers from summer through early fall. This compact sunflower grows 1-4 feet tall and thrives in dry conditions with minimal care once established.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Plains Sunflower takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Annual nature means gaps in planting as plants die
  • Can appear weedy or wild to traditional landscaping preferences
  • May self-seed unpredictably creating scattered volunteers

Wildlife value

Excellent pollinator plant that attracts bees, butterflies, and beetles during its long blooming period. Seeds provide food for birds in fall.

Common questions

How much sun does Plains Sunflower need?
Plains Sunflower grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Plains Sunflower bloom?
Plains Sunflower blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Plains Sunflower native?
Plains Sunflower (Helianthus petiolaris) is native to AR, AZ, CA, CO and 30 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Plains Sunflower attract?
Plains Sunflower draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.
Is Plains Sunflower HOA-friendly?
Plains Sunflower takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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